Chapter 3

Mom, I'm lost and I don't know what to do." I said through tears and snot, definitely not the most attractive sight.

"Honey, it'll be okay, I'm sure that everything will work out.

I can't imagine what's going through your head right now and I don't know how I can help you other than being here to support you to make whatever decision you think is best for everybody, meaning do what you think is best for you, Rory, and Tyler.

Your brother is the least of your worries when it comes to priorities.

I just want you to do what's best for Rory and I want you to happy with your decision.

Your dad, Mavis, and I will all be here to support you with whatever you choose and we'll try as best we can to help you." I nodded absentmindedly along to what my mom was telling me.

I tried my best to smile when she finished, I just wish that this would all be over with soon and we could all end up happy.

~

At three a.m. my usual alarm of Rory's wailing echoed its way through my bedroom where Rory's crib temporarily resided.

Once I finished feeding him and he was back asleep, I struggled to go back to sleep, my mind was racing.

Sneaking over to my bookshelf I decided to finally read over Tyler's sealed letters that he'd sent me during my period of silence.

Cautiously I grabbed the first one that my hands could find, turning on my lamp I started to glance over some of his messily sprawled out handwriting.

June 16th

Dear Vada,

You'll never believe it!

We're being released, we're coming home for good.

I can't wait to see you.

I love you so much and I know you haven't been writing me lately but if you read this just know that I love you.

I know we never properly said that to each other or that we were never open about our relationship with our families but when I come home I really want to start over, if you haven't found another guy to sweep you off your feet.

I want to ask you out on a proper date where we don't have to sneak around and I want to come to your house to see you without the excuse of seeing your brother.

I want us to be a proper couple, no more sneaking around or secrets.

I love you, Vada!

I'll see you soon.

Love Tyler xxxx

That letter was from about a month ago and if anything it confused me more.

I was probably just over thinking this but maybe he'd only want to stick around for me not a family.

Tyler's POV:

Before

"So what you're telling me is that you've had a crush on me for forever?" I nodded as my answer to Vada's question.

She still couldn't grasp the fact that I liked her back even though it's been almost an hour since I first kissed her.

"But why didn't you tell me?

I mean, you were always nice to me but I always thought that was because Warren wanted you to an-and what are we supposed to tell Warren?

Both you and him have made it pretty much impossible for any guy to come near me, what's he going to do to you when he finds out?

Tyler, this is just so confusing." She looked up at me with her big brown eyes and I couldn't help but melt at the sight of her face.

She looked so lost which was completely adorable.

"Maybe we shouldn't tell him at first and see that what we feel for each other can be turned into a relationship, okay?" I suggested after a one or two of thinking.

She looked unconvinced at first but after a few silent moments she nodded and cam to hug me.

"Vada," I whispered into her ear.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" I felt her nod against my chest and then it was official, I was dating the girl I've been waiting for since I was five years old.

~

"Are you coming over tonight to help with the ?" Warren asked me after we had just finished lacrosse practice.

I nodded as my mind was distracted with the sight of my girlfriend coming out of the girls locker room after just finished with cross-country practice.

Tonight is the party of the year, the one guaranteed party that Warren hosts every year just before spring sports actually begin competitions.

It typically ends with tons of gossip and a terrible hangover the next day.

This year is different though, this year I have Vada all to myself and I don't have to see her dancing with some punk that just wants to get in her pants.

"Tyler!

Tyler!

Dude, what are you staring at?" Immediately after Warren waved his hand in my face I snapped up to meet his gaze.

I should probably be more discreet when it comes to Vada, this is the second time Warren has caught me in a "daze" since Vada and I started dating a week ago.

"It's nothing.

I, uh, just was thinking about how this is the last spring party your going to be throwing, ever." I lied.

"We still have two months of school left, Tyler, don't be getting sappy on me now.

Also who cares about this being the last high school party, in college there'll be way better parties." Warren told me before walking over to meet Vada near the parking lot.

I trailed behind them as we slowly made our way over to my car.

Before the vehicle had even started moving Warren was already giving us instructions for what we were to do when we got into the Ward's house.

"Tyler you're on moving the furniture and setting up the dance floor, strobe lights, and getting the DJ equipment ready.

Vada, you're on nonalcoholic drinks, food, and after that's done you can go get ready because I know that if I didn't give you enough time to get dressed you'd blame me if one thing was not perfect.

Moving on, I'll be taking care of the alcohol and getting everything else ready.

Now, let's get this show on the road people!"

"Hey!

Why do I have all of the most physically exhausting tasks?" I jokingly sulked at Warren.

Vada started laughing at my pouted bottom lip but Warren was far from laughing as he gave me a pointed look and I just stuck my tongue out at him.

"Warren, take a chill pill why don't you?" Vada chimed in from the backseat.

Being the kid that he is, Warren just stuck his tongue out at Vada to which she laughed.

Looks like we haven't changed at all from when we were kids.

~

Wow...

"Tyler, are you okay?" Vada asked me as soon as she walked down the stairs.

The party by now was in full swing and Vada had just gotten here, she looked absolutely beautiful.

I smiled directly at her before slowly walking over to where she was standing.

Immediately I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her.

Ultimately I was so thankful that this year's party theme was glow in the dark because otherwise I knew I wouldn't have been able to get away with kissing Vada in public.

"I've been waiting to do that all day..." I told Vada, breathlessly.

She laughed but nodded to what I was saying.

I then pulled her over to the makeshift dance floor that I had set up not more than an hour ago.

"You did a great job with all of the "physically exhausting" labor that Warren made you do." Vada teased me as soon as we were within the crowd of grinding teenagers.

"Ha-ha.

At least I did some work other than put out a cooler of soda and a couple bowls of chips." I sarcastically replied.

"Now that was uncalled for...

I didsomuch work, I was in physical pain after lifting that humongous bowl of chips.

I swear that thing could feed an entire army." Vada dramatically sighed.

I chuckled at her over exaggerated statement and continued to dance with the only person I wanted to be with.

~

"Tyler, you're staying over right?

The spare room is yours so feel free to have it, plus I highly doubt your parents will appreciate you coming home at... 5 in the morning." Warren said whilst we were cleaning up the aftermath of the party that ended around 2 this morning.

"Yeah, that sounds good.

We should leave the rest of this for later, I really don't feel like having to do more physical labor because I might just break my back listing one of those damn gigantic strobe lights again." I suggested to Warren before starting to head to the garbage to throw out the last of the trash.

Warren nodded and bid me a good sleep before making his way upstairs once the trash was finally cleaned up.